Festival Overview – Jazz and Blues Festival

Bop. Boogie-woogie. Blues-rock. Samba. Swing. Soul. Since 1978, Edinburgh has played host to a brilliant mix of jazz performers. No other festival this summer boasts such a diverse mix of jazz talent as the Jazz and Blues Festival in Edinburgh. It’s hands-on in the sense that festival-goers are encouraged to get involved by jamming, dancing, and uploading photos. This helps link the series of venues and acts together, as the Jazz and Blues Festival takes place over a staggering 10-day period in locations all over Edinburgh, including St Andrew Square, The Queen’s Hall and La Belle Angele. All are incredibly artistic venues with huge amounts of character. There are sleek and contemporary foyers, a Georgian church with traditional pews, and an enormous tent with central seating and wooden booths. It’s a diverse mix, one that complements the music perfectly. Many tickets are yet to go on sale, but expect prices to vary from event to event. Friday 15th sees the suave Curtis Stigers performing Sinatra-esque swing at Festival Theatre, with prices starting at just £25.50. Similarly, the iconic Jools Holland will perform on Saturday 23rd, with years of musical excellence and a star-studded band behind him. Prices for this rise a little, starting from £36. While most of the event prices are yet to be revealed, these act as a good benchmark for prices throughout the festival.

The historical nature of the festival within Edinburgh makes it a landmark occasion for international and home-grown artists alike, many of which can never be heard live outside of Edinburgh. It’s an opportunity to indulge in the culture of the stunning capital of Scotland as much as the music; for the cyclists among you, Edinburgh is a green-friendly city making many of the venues easily accessible for free. With Megabus stops at Edinburgh Bus Station and Waverely Train Station, and plenty of options for affordable accommodation nearby, it’s never been easier to see so much talent for so little.